‘June Bug’ arrested in alleged assault of Everett man

EVERETT — An Everett man with ties to a street gang whose members have been convicted of murder, robbery and drug trafficking is back behind bars.

Matalenuna Malu, whose street name is June Bug, was arrested Tuesday for investigation of assault after allegedly choking and punching an Everett man. The man reported being attacked Aug. 17 at a home in the 1700 block of 121st Street SE.

The victim — a 26-year-old Everett man — said Malu woke him up. June Bug demanded to know where his “baby’s mama” was, police said. When the man said he didn’t know, Malu allegedly jumped on him and strangled him to the point he was about to pass out, according to a police report.

“There were injuries around the neck from strangling and a swollen eye consistent with being punched in the face,” Everett police officer Aaron Snell said.

The victim told police that Malu claimed to be “a real gangster.” The Everett man said he was able to free himself when a witness intervened. Malu reportedly then left.

Malu was arrested after reporting in with his federal probation officer, Snell said. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Tuesday.

Malu recently was released from prison.

In 2011, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years behind bars after pleading guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. Everett police found the gun in Malu’s bedroom during an assault investigation.

Malu was connected to the Waco Boys, a gang that was selling oxycontin in the Everett area. The gang sold drugs to undercover agents and people working with law enforcement in 2009 and 2010, according to court records. Malu and his roommates were arrested in June 2010, but prosecutors didn’t charge him in the drug-dealing scheme.

In Aug. 2010, Malu was jailed in connection with the fatal shooting of a heroin dealer on W. Casino Road. He later was released and not charged.

Two other men connected to the Waco Boys were charged with crimes related to the case. Eric “Icky” Lowe was convicted of first-degree murder and Jeffrey Cleator pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary. Both were sentenced to long prison terms.

In January 2011, police were called to Malu’s home after his girlfriend jumped from a second story window, allegedly to escape being assaulted. When the home was searched, police found drugs, body armor and a firearm reported stolen from a Mill Creek home in 2009.

Snohomish County prosecutors charged Malu with multiple crimes but later dismissed their case after Malu was indicted on federal gun charges.